Olena, a 57-year-old Ukrainian, is from Okhtyrka, Sumy Oblast. Her city was under attack from the first day of the full-scale invasion. The initial offensive of russian troops was successfully repulsed, but massive artillery attacks did not stop. At first, Olena was staying at home. Her sister would call and try to convince her to go to their parents’ private house where she could hide in the basement. However, Olena never reached their house. She later said that it was not her conscious decision to evacuate – she didn’t plan it. Olena was simply so scared to stay that at some point she left her home and moved into the unknown. HTL volunteers helped her along the way and upon arrival. The route was exhausting both physically and emotionally. Olena hoped to return as soon as possible. She didn’t take much of her belongings with her. The photos and contacts on her phone became the only memories she could retain of her past life. Olena is now settled in Lithuania. She is happy with the free apartment and humanitarian aid provided, the work she found, the integration courses, and the generally warm and heartfelt welcome of the Lithuanians.